Few takers for NHF scheme
published: Monday | October 27, 2003

By Robert Hart, Staff Reporter

SIX MONTHS after the start of registration, fewer than 40,000 people are now signed up for individual benefits under the National Health Fund (NHF) scheme.

While speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, October 21, Minister of Health John Junor reiterated that "NHF individual benefits are estimated to cover 1.5 million cases or 750,000 persons suffering with the 14 chronic illnesses."

"To date, approximately 38,000 persons have applied for NHF individual benefits," Minister Junor said. He was addressing the House of Representatives on the NHF Act, which is due to be debated in Parliament this week.

The minuscule number of applications comes after the start of registration of beneficiaries on April 28, and the distribution of more than 400,000 application forms. Earlier this year, the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) was given Government approval to undertake a two-year registration of beneficiaries at a cost of $45 million.

But it has been reported that many beneficiaries may have trouble accessing drugs under the system as several pharmacies are still reluctant to sign up with the NHF.

NHF data show that there are 320 private registered pharmacies in addition to public hospitals which also have pharmacies, but that only 80 pharmacies have agreed to participate in the NHF so far.

Speaking with The Gleaner recently, Stephen Delapenha, president of the Pharmacy Owners Association, said that some pharmacies are restrained about signing up because of their view of the Government's payment history. He also suggested they were concerned that NHF officials had declined a recommendation to incorporate a penalty for late payments into contracts being offered to pharmacies.

Funding for the $2.2 billion NHF will be sourced from a 23 per cent excise on tobacco consumption which is expected to yield $1 billion; the recent reconfiguration of the National Insurance Scheme, expected to yield $800 million; and a specific charge on the Consolidated Fund which should raise $400 million. The majority of these funds will be dedicated to providing medication, health systems support and health promotion.

The Health Ministry is instituting the NHF as part of its efforts to tackle the rising problem of chronic diseases among Jamaicans.